Underbelly cover tearing loose

[Shortline1]

The underbelly covering on my 2007 DRV is coming loose.. The covering material appears to be a very heavy tar type paper. Some of the screws holding the covering on have pulled thru.... Has anyone ever had this happen to them? How was it repaired?

[Dapperdan]

I had this happen on our old Montana years ago. I backed the screws out and slipped large fender washers on the screws and replaced the screws. For us this worked well.

Dan

[Notanlines]

The cover is called coroplast. Your 13 year old screes probably won’t back out easily. The fender washers and large new self tapping screws are the secret.

[wingnut60]

There you are--new self-tapping screws with fender washers. Common fix.

[Cummins12V98]

There is a difference.

https://i.imgur.com/M6Wedk2l.jpg

[Shortline1]

Thank you for your response! I replaced the pulled thru ones with 2 inch washers. the washers DRV installed were 1/2 inch.

[Shortline1]

Thank You everyone! I replaced them with 2" washers.

[Cworthy]

Just FYI, the same repair did not work for me. The coroplast was simply too old, tearing loose a second time, and I had to replace it. Maybe you'll have better luck.

[ddubya]

The bottom on the DRv is most likely the same thin material used on Mobil homes. If possible replace it with corrigated plastic called Coroplast. This can be purchased from commercial plastics suppliers. It is available in 4x8 sheets and installed with self tapping screws and washers.

[porkchop]

I don't know about Alpine, and apparently you don't know about DRV, but they do use coroplast at the factory. And it comes in 8' wide X as long as you need. Like I said, that's for DRV, not Alpine.

Bill

[ddubya]

I don't know about Alpine, and apparently you don't know about DRV, but they do use coroplast at the factory. And it comes in 8' wide X as long as you need. Like I said, that's for DRV, not Alpine.

Bill

The original statement mentioned a " heavy tar type paper". That to me does not sound like Coroplast. So, excuse the hell out of me not knowing DRV.

[Shortline1]

After I started taking screws out & more tape loose I figured out it is coroplast.

[stanleyz]

I had to cut an opening in mine and had a hard time resetting it. As best I can tell there are steel cross members every 10 feet or so. I considered running supports on the bottom of the coroplast from front to rear and taking some of the weight off the factory screws. As it turned out I got everything sealed and re-screwed to my satisfaction and didn't do it. My final thought was L shaped metal strips like they sell in hardware stores. They come in strips at least 10 feet and I could probably find longer ones if I looked. Secured to the cross members they should support the coroplast well. One row each side of center was what I had in mind. Like I said this is all conceptual and I did not do it but I do think it would be easier, cheaper and a lot less time consuming than going to Indiana for a re-fit on my 15 year old trailer.

[porthole]

I find it hard to believe DRV found such tiny self drill screws to use for the corroplast.

I would guess mine are a #6 screw, 3/8” long.
I’ve replaced more then a dozen so far.

[wingnut60]

Duane,
The screws are designed to last thru one trip to a dealer, and maybe couple to 6 months on the dealer lot. I think they do a great job at that...

[LarryFlew]

My 2011 Alpine has 1/4 self tappers with fender washers holding the coroplast up except for one near the back. Was under the trailer and noticed one fender washer was missing. It was miles to the hardware store so it has a quarter with a hole drilled in it which cost me less than going to the store with a 3500 GMC.

[porthole]

Duane,
The screws are designed to last thru one trip to a dealer, and maybe couple to 6 months on the dealer lot. I think they do a great job at that...

Then I’m good to go. I started replacing kissing or broken screws at 9 months.

[stanleyz]

Duane,
The screws are designed to last thru one trip to a dealer, and maybe couple to 6 months on the dealer lot. I think they do a great job at that...

Now now, that is not the company spirit. Everything on most trailers are designed to last until the warranty is up.

[wingnut60]

It is sad indeed when the shakedown cruise has to be back to the factory....

[stanleyz]

I wouldn’t know anything about that. Bought mine used and have had it ten years. I look every now and rhen but everything is either too expensive or built to fall apart in a few years. Say what you will about the early Mobile Suites but mine is built very well. All the stuff in it and on it wears out but the bones are very good. Leaving in the morning for an as yet unselcted location north of I 80. Or maybe I’m just cheap.

[porthole]

It is sad indeed when the shakedown cruise has to be back to the factory....

Wasn't my shakedown cruise (h'mmm and they call it a shakedown why?), but I am in Howe for my second visit.

[Cummins12V98]

Wasn't my shakedown cruise (h'mmm and they call it a shakedown why?), but I am in Howe for my second visit.

ONCE there was enough for me! Ed Fry AKA "Mr NO" that guy is a piece of work too be VERY polite!!!

Fred the Tech was top notch. Kevin was a bull in a china closet! Nice guy tho.

Knowing what I know I would NEVER go there again and simply have Slade at Rolling Retreats do any warranty work.